TechIreland launches National AI Challenge 2026 as National AI Meet returns to Galway

TechIreland has launched the National AI Challenge 2026 and confirmed that the fourth annual TechIreland National AI Meet will take place at The Galmont Hotel, Galway, on Thursday, 24 September 2026.

Now in its third year, the free National AI Challenge will bring together more than 300 developers, founders, students, technologists and AI enthusiasts from across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Participants will build practical AI products, prototypes and agentic workflows addressing real business and societal challenges.

The programme is supported by expert mentors, industry partners, technology providers and more than 10 regional innovation hubs. More than 200 people registered within the first eight days, with applications open until 9 August.

Following two intensive weeks of remote development, teams will present their work at coordinated regional events on 14 September. The strongest teams will progress to the National AI Meet in Galway, where they will showcase their solutions to leaders from technology, industry, investment, research and the public sector.

AI & Agents: Strategy, Processes and Roles

The 2026 theme, “AI & Agents: Strategy, Processes and Roles,” reflects the shift from AI experimentation to practical implementation.

As organisations explore how AI systems and agents can support decisions, automate processes, augment employees and enable new products and services, the Challenge will give participants practical experience of this transition through hands-on development.

Teams can respond to industry-led Challenge Statements or submit wildcard ideas in areas including enterprise technology, manufacturing, financial services, insurance, health, sustainability, public services and immersive technology.

The programme will emphasise responsible, people-centred AI, asking participants to consider not only what can be built, but also how it can be implemented, governed and used to create meaningful impact.

Showcasing AI talent across the island

The National AI Challenge gives participants a platform to demonstrate their technical and commercial skills, meet collaborators, engage with industry and investors, and test the potential of new products, services and companies.

Participating organisations can put real operational challenges before multidisciplinary teams, engage with emerging solutions and connect with prospective employees, partners and collaborators.

In 2025, participants delivered 44 AI projects, with 15 teams reaching the national final – more than twice the number in 2024. Some 53% of participants came from regional locations, reflecting the programme’s growing reach.

Previous participants have used the Challenge to build working products, validate ideas, find technical team members and connect with investors, users and public bodies.

Gavin Doyle of Glór AI said:

“TechIreland and the National AI Challenge gave me the opportunity to pursue a project I wanted to for a long time. After the two weeks, we had an actual product built, and we built genuine interest from users and governing bodies, which opened so many doors for myself and the rest of my team.”

Cressida Canavan of Canavan Atlantic said:

“The National AI Challenge has been one of the defining moments in our startup journey. It helped us find our technical team, connect with investors and fellow founders, gain confidence in our vision and opened doors we never expected. I would encourage every AI founder to apply.”

An all-island collaboration platform

More than a competition, the National AI Challenge connects technical talent with founders, industry leaders, researchers, mentors, investors and regional innovation communities.

Participants will build remotely, while regional hubs provide local connections and host the coordinated presentation events on 14 September. This model enables people across Ireland and Northern Ireland to participate in one shared programme.

TechIreland aims to build on the Challenge’s regional reach in 2026 by strengthening participation and collaboration across the island.

The initiative is supported by Enterprise Ireland, the European Digital Innovation Hubs Network and a growing network of technology companies, industry bodies, coding communities, innovation centres and regional partners. Further partners and Challenge supporters will be announced.

Niall Norton, CEO of TechIreland, said:

“The AI Challenge is much more than a competition. It is becoming part of Ireland’s AI talent infrastructure. At a time when employers need evidence of practical AI capability, we are creating opportunities for people to demonstrate what they can build while helping organisations discover the talent they need.”

Brian Caulfield, Board Director at TechIreland, said:

“I’m very proud to see the National AI Challenge and Meet go from strength-to-strength. Every year, the competition has generated more AI startups, while simultaneously educating new AI talent and connecting technical and commercial founders. I look forward to this year’s iteration being the best yet.”

Conor O’Donovan, Head of Startups at Enterprise Ireland, said:

“The National AI Challenge has become a hugely valuable national and regional opportunity for founders to connect, collaborate and build AI-native products, solutions and businesses addressing challenges facing business and society. Given the importance of AI adoption, training and talent to the international competitiveness of the Irish economy, the challenge comes at an opportune for founders, investors and organisations to collaborate on AI solutions of the future.”

Mike Conroy, Ireland European Digital Innovations Hubs (EDIHs), said:

“This National AI Challenge exemplifies the power of collaboration between industry and innovation networks across the Island. Ireland’s European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) are committed to helping orchestrate and support such initiatives country wide, in collaboration with a wider ecosystem of partners. Initiatives like this develop new relationships and networks that help unlock the transformative potential of AI across all sectors.”

Gary Leyden, CEO of InsTech.ie, said:

“Instech.ie is proud to return, supporting TechIreland’s National AI Challenge as a Strategic Partner. Insurance enables every industry to innovate, invest and grow. As AI reshapes how businesses operate, insurance has an opportunity to become both an adopter and an enabler of that transformation. We’re looking for innovators, technologists and insurance professionals who can create better experiences for underwriters, insurers and customers, and help shape the future of insurance.”

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